FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESIDENT JOHNSTON AND VICE PRESIDENT ADHIKARI ANNOUNCE THE RECIPIENT OF THE VIKING VENTURES GRANT

4 February, 2025 

President Annie Johnston and Vice President Prince Adhikari to announce Rachel Johnson ’25 as the latest recipient of the Viking Ventures Grant for her visionary project, The Riparian Garden of the Viking Oasis: Enhancing a Habitat for the Mutual Flourishing of the AU Community and Nature.

The Viking Ventures Grant provides seed funding of up to $1,200 to support innovative and impactful student-led projects that make a lasting difference in the Augustana and Sioux Falls communities. Johnson has been awarded $800 to bring her initiative to life—an effort that blends environmental stewardship with campus and community engagement.

The Viking Oasis, completed in 2023, has become a beloved space where students, faculty, and Sioux Falls residents connect with nature. Johnson’s project builds on this foundation by restoring the retention pond within the Oasis, introducing native plants to improve water quality, minimize erosion, and enhance biodiversity. Her work reflects a commitment to sustainability, turning an ecological challenge into an opportunity for renewal and growth.

In December, Johnson presented her vision to President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari, who commended the project for its creativity, sustainability, and long-term benefits. Her work exemplifies the very spirit of the Viking Ventures Grant: empowering students to think boldly, act creatively, and leave a positive mark on their community.

We congratulate Rachel Johnson on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to seeing her project take shape in the months ahead.

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